Anticipated to create upwards of 25 full time equivalent jobs, the development will house a complex of modern buildings, providing additional capacity for the company’s operations across Scotland. Anchored in the industrial area of Stirling, these will comprise nine whisky storage warehouses, a blend centre associated to a tank farm, and a well-equipped office building.

The newest addition to the company’s production and distribution network, the warehouse buildings will store casks, allowing whisky to slowly mature for several years prior to it being sold in bulk or as cased goods.

Covering 20.2 acres, the site is an ideal location for IMD to deliver a maturation warehouse scheme, given transport linkages to other components of the IMD estate, and the fact the site is zoned for employment uses in the Stirling Local Development Plan.

Casks will be filled and matured from all the IMD distilleries, which are Rosebank in Falkirk, Glengoyne in Stirlingshire and Tamdhu in Knockando on Speyside. Blended and Matured whisky will then be transferred by road tanker to IMD’s bottling facility in Broxburn. Once packaged, they will be exported across the UK, the US, Europe and the Far East, benefiting the Scottish economy.

The venture will serve to bring significant benefits to the local economy through selecting local companies for the design and construction of the complex, where possible, and providing new employment opportunities.

In this regard, it is anticipated that 62 jobs would be generated in the construction of the facilities and the provision of apprenticeships will form part of the tender selection process. Apprenticeship opportunities will also be offered in the completed development, which it is anticipated would create a total of upwards of 25 full time equivalent jobs.

The location of the site, close to the River Forth and its area of rich biodiversity, reflects the commitment of this project and IMD with a way of production which is sustainable and with minimum environmental impact.

Reducing carbon emissions and thereby lowering the carbon footprint of the development will be critical, delivered through efficient building design and having no gas connection to the site, with all heating to occupied buildings catered for through electric powered systems.

Commenting on the submission of the application, Leonard Russell said: “We are delighted to be submitting this panning application for new whisky storage facilities at Bandeath, which will provide additional capacity for our operations across Scotland. The new facility will further secure our spirit supply chain and have a clear beneficial impact on both the local and the national economy.

“The new storage complex will provide considerable benefits to the community, delivering employment both in its construction and once complete. We have also given a commitment to promoting apprenticeship opportunities. With our broad commitment to addressing climate change and delivering net zero, our new facility will be highly sustainable and have minimum environmental impact.

“We have undertaken extensive engagement with the local community throughout this process and look forward to continue to engage with them as matters progress.”